Report: Bogans Calls Release By Bulls ‘A Slap In The Face’

(CBS) If you’re thinking New Jersey Nets guard Keith Bogans will have extra motivation tonight against his former team in New Jersey then you would be correct.

“I put everything on the line each night,” Bogans told the Chicago Tribune Monday about his time with the Bulls. “I played with a hurt knee 82 games. I took a pill 82 games to get that (release) in return. Every time I play them for the rest of my career, it will give me something added.”

After nearly two months of being out of work, Keith Bogans signed with the Nets Feb. 1 and now he might start against his former team tonight in New Jersey. Just the opportunity to play against the Bulls is something he is excited about after a less then amicable split.

After working out at the Berto Center the week before training camp started, the Bulls pulled Bogans off the floor Dec. 9 just before the first practice of the year started. They didn’t let him practice with the team before releasing him Dec. 16, a day after the Bulls signed Richard Hamilton.

“When I walked in the gym and they told me I wasn’t practicing after they had seen me all week since Monday, that was kind of a slap in the face,” Bogans told the newspaper. “But it’s cool. I’ve been through a lot in this league but nothing like that. It definitely made me a better man, a better person and a better basketball person.”

During the time the Bulls held him off the practice floor, Bogans said the Portland Trailblazers showed interest in him, but that interest waned as the Bulls held onto to him before signing Hamilton.